A man has been arrested after a male was stabbed near a supermarket on the Castlewellan Road in Newcastle

A man was rushed to hospital after being stabbed near to a Co Down supermarket.

Emergency services were called to the Castlewellan Road in Newcastle shortly after 7.30pm on Tuesday evening, February 2.

It has been reported a man in his 40s has been stabbed near the supermarket. He was taken to hospital for treatment to 'serious injuries' but is now in a stable condition.

A man has since been arrested following the assault.

Detective Inspector Brian Foster said: "This occurred at quite a busy time therefore I would ask anyone who was in the area at the time to contact detectives at Downpatrick police station on the non emergency number 101, or if someone would prefer to provide information they can do so through Crimestoppers."

A PSNI spokesman said officers received reports of the stabbing after 7.35pm and the victim had been taken to hospital and his injuries were believed to be serious.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said the man had been stabbed a number of times and had been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in a serious condition.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said: "I understand the man who was stabbed is being treated at the Royal Victoria Hospital and I hope he has a swift recovery.

“This happened near a supermarket on the Castlewellan Road and people will have information which will be useful to the investigation team. I urge anyone who saw what happened to contact the police. Community co-operation is the essence of good policing.”